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| DYLAN MARC 10/6/12 8:50am 8lb 12oz |
Dylan Marc was born three weeks ago at 9:50am on Saturday, October 6th. My labor began after 1am and came on sudden and with crazy fierce contractions 3-5 minutes a part. His birth was totally peaceful and a great experience after I needed an epidural at 9+ centimeters dilated. Who the hell needs an epidural administered to them that late in labor?!?! Me... I had been waiting beyond a reasonable amount of time for the cervix to go from a 9+ to a 10 centimeter. I had no urge to push and my doctor said I needed to try and push blindly against the pain without the needing to poop or push feeling. I couldn't. It felt like fake and I couldn't get the push to... well push! He was hoping the less than a centimeter of cervix would open and Dylan would be ready to be pushed out finally. So I couldn't form a push and waiting was becoming intolerable. My water also finally broke at 9cm and there was baby poop in it. Since that's a big medical concern that my son took a dump on his way out, a pediatrician had to come in to be on hand and I had to stay in bed monitored and hooked up. Dying in pain and now immobile all at what is supposed to be the very very end of labor and now they tell me no more singing Lauryn Hill and Pink in the shower, really?? Fuck that and drug me. So after 7 hours in labor and just about to deliver I got the epidural, took a 45min nap, and woke up to the feeling of needing to push my baby out. My husband went to find the doctor and nurse and sure enough it was time. 20 minutes of pushing and good morning Dylan! What a relief. What an experience. I can now say labor without an epidural is just silly and pain that no humans should have to feel. It's awful! I got an epidural pretty early on in my first pregnancy and really liked how my birth experience was calm, peaceful, and not screaming and freaking out. BUT I decided to attempt a natural birth because in my first pregnancy the epidural didn't totally work. I had an AWFUL bout with foot swelling after being pumped with pitosin, and I have really severe scoliosis. It seemed easier. You know what is easier?? Getting a shot in your back, laying in bed watching tv, taking a nap, updating your facebook status, putting on makeup.. yep.. that shit is easier. I have so much more respect for women who don't have access to epidurals. 1 in 10 women die in childbirth in some parts of the world where my superficial ways just aren't reality... at all. It's crazy having babies and now I am the mommy to two beautiful boys who are my only biological relatives. These three weeks have flown by and I am so tired, so caffeine hungover, and so so very tired that I am in a stoned dream like state all of the time. My body is exhausted. I have taken one 40 minute nap and otherwise sleep 2-4 hours a night all together. One hour here, three hours there, and surviving on a caffeine diet. Reality is walking to starbucks and taking my son to the playgroup. He's almost 21 months and acting out BIG time. He's not necessarily acting jealous but he of course is. He is having a really hard time adjusting to his brother and to his mommy not being pregnant anymore. I was pregnant before he was walking so his world has been turned upside down. Example, he would throw himself on the ground if he didn't want me to pick him up and make him go into bed, or in his carriage, or have his diaper changed. I had to be patient and wait for him because a big pregnant lady can't really wrestle a toddler on the ground. BUT a non pregnant mom sure as hell can! Alex's first week with his brother home was a week filled with temper tantrums, crazy outbursts, and lots throwing things. He didn't want to do ANYTHING but watch tv. He paid NO attention to Dylan at all. And now he's just coming along fine. The boys have their bedtime bottles together every night, Alex kisses Dylan all of the time, and Alex always is trying to help give him his toys or random things like cookies and the tv remote. My best friend saved us by coming in from Costa Rica. One day she came over and heated up noodles. If she didn't I wouldn't have eaten anything all day besides coffee. Lots of coffee. She took care of me and the babies and made sure I ate, had a cocktail, and reminded me when I needed it most that Alex is not the first kid to have a baby brother. He'll be fine. I'll be fine. Spending time with family when a baby is born is one of the most close and special times you can spend with that person I think. There is something about coming home from the hospital with a newborn and reflecting on all of the care you take of this baby and who you spend that time with that is so precious to me and I am so lucky my best friend, who lives in Costa Rica, has been there for me and both of my children. Let me just say- the second time around is a breeze!!!!
DINNER TIME HAS TO BE QUICK!
THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS HAS BEEN STIR FRY EVERYTHING!!!
MANGO SHRIMP STIR FRY
15 shrimp cleaned tails on
2 onion, 2 red pepper, 2 yellow pepper cut into strips (or 1 large frozen package stir fry veg)
1 mango cut into strips (pineapple chunks could work in this too!!)
1 cup chicken or veg stock
1/2 cup juice (mango, white grape, orange, apple, guava, whatever!)
about a 4-5 second pour from a bear of honey
2 tbs bbq sauce
2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs cornstarch
1/2 tsp ginger (fresh or ground)
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| Cook the veg, throw in the mango, then the shrimp |
Heat the wok on high. Cook your vegtables almost thoroughly. Throw in mango so it cooks 2-3 min. Throw in shrimp and cook 2-3 min till pink. In small bowl combine and mix stock, juice, bbq, honey, cornstarch, soy sauce and ginger. Add to wok and cook a few moments until sauce thickens. Serve with rice or noodles.
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| The easiest ingredients! |
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| Making the sauce! |
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| This took 15 min... Rachel Ray's got NOTHING on me! |
